option-> obligation

 

From the readings, to videos, to class discussions I have become more intrigued with the lives of those who are trying to survive hunger and homelessness. One of the discussions that got my attention was the discussion about the mistreatment of workers. I have read about the mistreatment in the work place and have experienced it first hand. It got me thinking about the lack of self worth I let myself undergo simply because I cannot afford to lose my job. Managers and co-workers degrade me in some fashion yet I continue to go beyond the simple task my specific job entails so that hopefully I get a raise or ‘earn’ my spot. It is true what was mentioned in class, most of the workers seem to be to terrified of saying anything about the mistreatment that is being done to them because the poor cannot afford to lose the job. I personally struggle financial,  getting one of the jobs I currently had was a mission. So I can imagine the struggle of those who are homeless and are in need of one job. It was hard to obtain a job in this economy being a college student and like mentioned in the class discussion the managers\ boss engrave into the minds of their employees that they are replaceable. At any point in time the can fire you. The poor become powerless and must undergo the harsh treatment sometimes because the educational levels are fairly low and or they can’t afford to not have the little income they are being given. Thus being said this reminded me of  Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed (2010 edition) in which this women who has a good income (privileged) decides to try and see the lives of those low-wage workers, their were stories of women who were supporting not only themselves but their children, people who where sick or hurt but managed to go to work. Going to work for those below the line of poverty and even those that may be classified as higher isn’t an option it becomes an obligation in order to survive.
Survival is hard, so is it better to give up and get sent to jail for being homeless?